A60194:539
A learned commentary or exposition
A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Gray's-Inn, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the public good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoke-Newington, near London.A learned commentary or exposition: upon the first chapter of the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians Being the substance of many sermons formerly preached at Grayes-Inne, London, by that reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibbs, D.D. Sometimes Master of Catherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher to that honourable society. Published for the publick good and benefit of the Church of Christ. By Tho. Manton, B.D. and preacher of the Gospel at Stoake-Newington, near London.
London: printed by J.L. for N.B., 1655
A COMMENTARY upon the first CHAPTER of the second Epistle of S. PAU… › Commentary on verse 5
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
How is this proved? The more we are stripped of outward comforts, the more near we are to God, who is styled the God that comforteth the abject, and the nearer to God, the nearer to comfort it self: for all comfort springs from him, and when outward means fail that should convey comfort to us, then he conveys it immediately by himself. I confess he is present at all times, but when the comfort is conveyed by the creature, by man, it is not so sweet as when God joins with the soul immediately, as in great crosses he doth. Such occasion▪ and such extremity may be, that none can comfort a man but God, by his spirit. When Christ comes to the soul immediately what abundance of comfort is there then? As a King that doth not send a messenger, but comes immediately in his own person to visit one in misery. what a grace is it? So what a grace is is to a soul afflicted ⟨p. 84⟩and deserted to ha ve Christ immediately present? As the Martyrs found when no other creature could comfort them, there was a fire within, above all the outward fire, and torment, which abated, and allayed the torments that were without: the divinest comforts are kept for the harshest and the worst times, we shall have the presence of Christ in the absence of all other creatures, and he will minister comfort. They may keep outward comforts from us, they can never keep the God of comfort from us: & so long as a Christian soul and God can close together it cannot want comfort.
How is this proved? The more we are stripped of outward comforts, the more near we are to God, who is stiled the God that comforteth the abject, and the nearer to God, the nearer to comfort it self: for all comfort springs from him, and when outward meanes fail that should convey comfort to us, then he conveys it immediately by himself. I confesse he is present at all times, but when the comfort is conveyed by the creature, by man, it is not so sweet as when God joyns with the soul immediately, as in great crosses he doth. Such occasion▪ and such extreamity may be, that none can comfort a man but God, by his spirit. When Christ comes to the soul immediately what abundance of comfort is there then? As a King that doth not send a messenger, but comes immediately in his ownperson to visit one in misery. what a grace is it? So what a grace is is to a soul afflicted ⟨p. 84⟩